In Game 1, the 1990 New York Mets scored 6 runs in the 1st two innings against Randy Johnson, on their way to a 7-2 victory. Johnson was much better in the rematch, allowing just one run on 6 hits while striking out 9 to lead the 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks in taking the play-in round series in the Best of the 1990 Tournament. Mets starter Frank Viola kept the game close, limiting Arizona to 3 runs on 8 hits in 7 innings. The 1st two runs came by way of solo home runs by Damian Miller and Steve Finley. It was when Bob Ojeda came in to pitch the 9th that things fell apart for New York. Ojeda only recorded one out, but allowed 4 runs on 5 hits as the Diamondbacks saw all 9 hitters bat. Matt Williams was 2 for 5 with 2 RBI and Bernard Gilkey went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI. Arizona advances to face the 1998 Atlanta Braves in the next round of the tournament, while the Mets head home, losing a series that they led 2 games to 0.

’99 Diamondbacks @ ’90 Mets – 9/7/24

Luis Gonzalez provided the bat, and Armando Reynoso provided the arm, as the Arizona Diamondbacks topped the New York Mets 3-2 to force Game 5 of the play-in series between the teams. Reynoso scattered 10 hits and took a shutout into the 8th to lead the Diamondbacks. Jay Bell broke a scoreless game in the 6th with an RBI double against Sid Fernandez. Gonzalez followed with a 2-run home run, giving the Diamondbacks a 3-0 lead. The Mets threatened in the 7th, loading the bases with 1 out, but Reynoso got Darryl Strawberry to ground into a double-play to end the threat. Greg Swindell relieved Reynoso after Kevin McReynolds doubled to lead off the 8th. Mackey Sasser followed with a homer to cut the lead to 3-2. Matt Mantei allowed a leadoff single to Darryl Boston, and walked Gregg Jefferies with one out before striking out Strawberry and McReynolds to end the game. Arizona managed just 6 hits against Fernandez, half of the Mets 12 hits, but it was enough. Game 5 will see a rematch of Game 1 starters Frank Viola and Randy Johnson. The winner will advance to face the 1998 Atlanta Braves in the 1st round of the Best of the 1990s Tournament.

’90 Mets @ ’99 Diamondbacks – 9/5/24

The 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks showed up at home against the 1990 New York Mets, holding off elimination with a back-and-forth 9-7 win. Arizona’s offense had scored just 2 runs in each of the 1st two games of the series. They surpassed that when Matt Williams hit a 2-run home run in the 1st inning. It was the 1st of three homers against David Cone, who allowed 8 runs on 8 hits in 5 2/3 innings. The Mets used a 3-run 6th inning against Andy Benes to take a 6-5 lead. But in the bottom of the inning, Travis Lee hit a solo shot to tie it, and Luis Gonzalez hit a 2-run homer to put Arizona ahead to stay. Benes allowed 5 earned runs on 8 hits in 5 1/3 innings. Overall, the Diamondbacks used 5 pitchers, with Matt Mantei pitching a perfect 9th for the save. The win keeps Arizona’s hopes alive. The teams will face off again tomorrow.

’90 Mets @ ’99 Diamondbacks – 9/4/24

Lance Johnson gave the 1994 Chicago White Sox hope when he hit a 2-run triple in the 6th inning. The Sox knocked out 1993 Toronto Blue Jays starter Dave Stewart and had a 4-1 lead. Joe Carter hit a 2-run homer in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to 1. Wilson Alvarez turned things over to Jose DeLeon, who pitched a scoreless 7th. But in the 8th, Robin Ventura bobbled a grounder, and Tony Fernández doubled in the tying run. DeLeon was ejected two batters later when tempers led to him hitting Ed Sprague. Tony Castillo pitched a perfect 10th for the Blue Jays. Dennis Cook came in for the Sox. That’s when Joe Carter did it again, launching his 2nd homer of the game, and 3rd of the series, into the seats for a walk-off 5-4 win. That completed the 3-game sweep, knocking the White Sox out of the Best of the 1990s Tournament. The Blue Jays now advance to face the 1998 New York Yankees.

’94 White Sox @ ’93 Blue Jays – 9/4/24